Alabama's Hot Hand Must Light Up Tonight For Team to Break Losing Skid!
Alabama was already considered an upset candidate after Selection Sunday. And after Holloway was ruled out for Friday's game, it opens the door for Bethea.
Not that there is ever a good time for your starting point guard to get arrested, but when Alabama’s Aden Holloway was arrested for marijuana possession on Monday, it sent shockwaves to brackets nationwide. Most importantly, it put both his career and the Crimson Tide in a precarious position. Coach Nate Oats has already stated that Holloway has been suspended and that they’re planning to play 13th-seed Hofstra without him.
Because of that, it raises the question: who steps up in Holloway’s absence? Guard Jalil Bethea is the ideal candidate. Bethea has the talent and the pedigree to be considered, as a former five-star recruit.
But after an underwhelming freshman season in Miami, Bethea opted to come to Tuscaloosa for a fresh start. Yet his season started off on another bumpy note, after undergoing surgery to repair a broken foot – causing him to miss the first seven games. The problem is that he’s had a hard time getting substantial playing time.
In the 23 games he’s played this season, he’s only seen the floor for more than 10 minutes seven times. In the second game of his season, he posted 21 points and shot 5-10 from 3 in garbage time against UTSA, which makes the following game all the more puzzling. The following game against Arizona, where Alabama got creamed 96-75, Bethea only saw the floor for three minutes.